France began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Turkey in Kocaeli, marking a winning start for new head coach Zinedine Zidane. Despite the result, veteran midfielder Adrien Rabiot drew sharp criticism from fans who viewed his performance as a liability for the national team. Which took place in Kocaeli in Turkey, the excitement was palpable as former Real Madrid boss Zidane opted for a bold XI for the game. Gets injured as France defeat Turkey, mbappe scores.
Zidane implemented a bold tactical setup for the fixture, deploying Manu Kone in a defensive midfield role, while Rabiot occupied a more advanced position and Rayan Cherki operated as the number 10. Although France maintained control over possession and territory throughout the match, many observers were left unimpressed by the AC Milan midfielder’s contribution.
Social media erupted with complaints during and after the game, with one supporter labeling the 31-year-old a “weak link” within the squad. Another frustrated fan quipped, “This guy will play for France till he’s 50,” while others questioned why he remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Critics further urged Zidane to drop the player, with some making unflattering comparisons to other midfielders and joking about his potential connection to the French president. A fan pointed out that the former PSG man did not play well in the game.
Statistically, Rabiot completed 87% of his passes, won 80% of his ground duels, and recorded three tackles and one clearance. However, he also missed a significant scoring chance and failed to connect on any of his three attempted crosses during the contest.
The match was also defined by Kylian Mbappe’s decisive intervention. The France captain netted the only goal of the game in the 54th minute, converting an assist from Michael Olise. This strike marked Mbappe’s 12th goal for the national team in 2026, equalling his personal best for a single calendar year. And had to come off in visible discomfort, mbappe finished off a Michael Olise assist after 54 minutes but injured himself while scoring.
The moment of success proved costly for the forward, who appeared to sustain a knee injury during the play and was substituted for Desire Doue in visible discomfort. He is set to return to his club to begin recovery. He will now return to his club to commence treatment on what looked like a knee problem.
France’s victory was cemented even as Turkey faced a late disadvantage, with goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir receiving a red card. The win provides the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists with three crucial points as they prepare for upcoming Nations League matchups against Italy and Belgium.
Comments